San Gabriel Valley Digest

Pasadena

Pasadena's review process for zoning matters has been reorganized under a new zoning code adopted July 1. A panel of three hearing officers has been hired by the city to review requests for variances in use permits. Appeals of decisions made by hearing officers are heard by the city's nine-member Planning Commission.

Previously, a subcommittee of the Planning Commission reviewed applications for variances and a separate subcommittee heard appeals. Zoning administrator E.J. Remson said the significance of the new process is that variance applications and subsequent appeals are now heard by two separate entities instead of by members of the same commission.

The newly hired hearing officers were chosen because of their extensive backgrounds in zoning administration, Remson said.